UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Sarnath added to UNESCO Heritage List

Q1. With reference to the inscription of the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath and the Maratha Military Landscapes of India on the UNESCO World Heritage List, consider the following statements: 1. Sarnath was inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi), whereas the Maratha Military Landscapes were inscribed under criteria (iii) and (iv). 2. Sarnath is India's 45th World Heritage Site, while the Maratha Military Landscapes were the 44th. 3. Both Sarnath and the Maratha Military Landscapes are inscribed as cultural properties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Sarnath was inscribed under criteria (iii) and (vi), whereas the Maratha Military Landscapes were inscribed under criteria (iii) and (iv).
  2. Sarnath is India's 45th World Heritage Site, while the Maratha Military Landscapes were the 44th.
  3. Both Sarnath and the Maratha Military Landscapes are inscribed as cultural properties.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Following the inscription of the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath in July 2026, what is India's standing in terms of the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

  • A. 5th globally and 1st in the Asia-Pacific region
  • B. 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region
  • C. 6th globally and 1st in the Asia-Pacific region
  • D. 7th globally and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region

Q3. In his first sermon at Sarnath, the Buddha expounded the Four Noble Truths and set out the Middle Path consisting of how many components (the 'fold' of the path)?

  • A. Four
  • B. Twelve
  • C. Eight
  • D. Ten

Q4. Sarnath is counted among the four principal pilgrimage sites of Buddhism. Consider the following statements: 1. Sarnath is associated with the Buddha's first sermon, while Bodh Gaya is associated with his enlightenment. 2. Lumbini marks the Buddha's birth, while Kushinagar marks the site of his enlightenment. 3. The first sermon at Sarnath is remembered as the first 'turning of the wheel of dharma', delivered at the Deer Park at Isipatana. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Sarnath is associated with the Buddha's first sermon, while Bodh Gaya is associated with his enlightenment.
  2. Lumbini marks the Buddha's birth, while Kushinagar marks the site of his enlightenment.
  3. The first sermon at Sarnath is remembered as the first 'turning of the wheel of dharma', delivered at the Deer Park at Isipatana.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The dharmachakra (wheel of law) carved on the abacus of the Lion Capital of Ashoka found at Sarnath has how many spokes?

  • A. 8
  • B. 24
  • C. 12
  • D. 32

Q6. Which one of the following statements about a monument at Sarnath is correct?

  • A. The Chaukhandi Stupa is the only stupa at Sarnath built entirely by Ashoka.
  • B. The Dharmarajika Stupa is the tallest surviving structure at the site.
  • C. The Dhamek Stupa marks the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon.
  • D. The Mulagandhakuti Vihara is the earliest stupa raised over the Buddha's bodily relics.

Q7. The inscription of properties such as Sarnath on the World Heritage List is governed by the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in which year?

  • A. 1977
  • B. 1972
  • C. 1945
  • D. 1992

Q8. Which one of the following is the nodal agency in India for World Heritage matters, responsible for preparing and steering nominations such as that of Sarnath?

  • A. National Monuments Authority
  • B. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
  • C. Archaeological Survey of India
  • D. National Culture Fund

Q9. With reference to the process by which Sarnath was inscribed on the World Heritage List, consider the following statements: 1. Sarnath was added to India's UNESCO Tentative List in 1998. 2. India formally submitted the Sarnath nomination dossier to the World Heritage Committee in January 2025. 3. Sarnath was inscribed under World Heritage criteria (iii) and (vi). 4. The advisory body that carried out the technical evaluation mission for Sarnath was the IUCN. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Sarnath was added to India's UNESCO Tentative List in 1998.
  2. India formally submitted the Sarnath nomination dossier to the World Heritage Committee in January 2025.
  3. Sarnath was inscribed under World Heritage criteria (iii) and (vi).
  4. The advisory body that carried out the technical evaluation mission for Sarnath was the IUCN.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q10. With reference to the Sarnath nomination and inscription, consider the following statements: 1. The Sarnath nomination was made for the 2025-26 UNESCO cycle. 2. The ICOMOS technical mission visited Sarnath in September 2025. 3. The gap between Sarnath's addition to the Tentative List and its final inscription was about 28 years. 4. Sarnath was inscribed as a single monument rather than as a serial property. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. The Sarnath nomination was made for the 2025-26 UNESCO cycle.
  2. The ICOMOS technical mission visited Sarnath in September 2025.
  3. The gap between Sarnath's addition to the Tentative List and its final inscription was about 28 years.
  4. Sarnath was inscribed as a single monument rather than as a serial property.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q11. With reference to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that inscribed Sarnath, consider the following statements: 1. The Committee consists of 21 States Parties to the Convention and meets once every year. 2. Every State Party to the World Heritage Convention is permanently a member of the World Heritage Committee. 3. The Committee has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Committee consists of 21 States Parties to the Convention and meets once every year.
  2. Every State Party to the World Heritage Convention is permanently a member of the World Heritage Committee.
  3. The Committee has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to the recent sessions of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and the sites inscribed for India, consider the following statements: 1. The 48th session, at which Sarnath was inscribed, was hosted by the Republic of Korea at Busan. 2. The 47th session, at which the Maratha Military Landscapes were inscribed, was hosted by the Republic of Korea. 3. The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee was hosted by India at New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 48th session, at which Sarnath was inscribed, was hosted by the Republic of Korea at Busan.
  2. The 47th session, at which the Maratha Military Landscapes were inscribed, was hosted by the Republic of Korea.
  3. The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee was hosted by India at New Delhi.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3